Does addiction counselling for cannabis cost anything?

Counselling can be free of charge, but this is not guaranteed everywhere. The online counselling service DigiSucht describes itself as anonymous and free of charge, and mindzone as anonymous and free of charge. For relatives, the DHS names personal counselling and taking part in self-help groups as free of charge. For local counselling centres, the sources used give no general promise about costs, so ask before the first appointment. This article shows which questions you can ask.

Who funds outpatient counselling?

Outpatient addiction counselling is help that does not involve an overnight stay. How it is funded differs from service to service. In 2026, the Deutsche Hauptstelle für Suchtfragen (DHS) surveyed services: for 76.9 per cent of respondents, funding is not cost-covering or not yet conclusively settled, and only 12.7 per cent assume secure funding. According to the DHS, this is already leading to shortened opening and consultation hours and to the closure of counselling centres.

For you, this means: check opening hours and costs before you set off, ideally with a short phone call.

When counselling costs money

Not every offer is free of charge. Private coaches and commercial providers may charge fees, even when they describe themselves as counselling. Ask about the fee before the first appointment, and have what is included confirmed in writing. At a publicly run service, a short call is usually enough to clarify this question.

Who bears treatment costs

Treatments such as inpatient rehabilitation follow different rules from a counselling conversation. The counselling centre clarifies with you who bears the costs and which documents are needed. This can include the health insurance fund (Krankenkasse) or the pension insurance body (Rentenversicherungsträger). The article What does inpatient rehabilitation for cannabis cost? explains the process and the questions around costs.

Questions to ask in advance

• Who runs the service, and are there fees for the first conversation?
• Are costs incurred for materials, programmes or group offers?
• Are costs incurred if I cancel an appointment at short notice?
• Are there travel costs, or are appointments possible online?

The service should give you these answers without evasion. If a provider does not clearly tell you what it charges, that is a sign to choose a different service. For a general check of an offer, see the article How do I recognise a reputable counselling service?

Who the counselling is for

Anyone who uses cannabis and wants to talk about it can seek counselling. DigiSucht and mindzone are aimed at people with questions about their own use. Relatives can also seek counselling. The article Where can relatives get counselling on cannabis use? sets out the options.

Outpatient, partly inpatient and inpatient

Outpatient means that you attend appointments and go home afterwards. Inpatient means that you live in a facility for a treatment. Partly inpatient services lie in between, because you are looked after during the day and go home in the evening. Ask the service how costs differ depending on the form.

When an offer costs money

Some providers only mention what it costs in the conversation. For that reason, ask for a written overview of services and charges before you commit. Ask for time to think it over if you feel too much pressure. Anyone who signs under time pressure may end up paying for services they do not need.

Terms that come up with costs

• Provider (Träger): the organisation that runs an addiction counselling centre and stands behind it.
• Funding (Förderung): money from federal states, municipalities or other bodies with which a service works.
• Fee (Honorar): the payment a person asks for their service, for example a private coach.

A service can receive funding and still charge fees for certain offers. So always ask about the specific offer.

Checking online offers more closely

Online offers differ widely. Some are free of charge, while others may charge fees. Check the legal notice, the name of the provider and the information on charges before you register. If this information is missing, be cautious.

What you should note down

Note the date, the name of the person you spoke to on the phone, any charges quoted and any commitments made. In case of later uncertainty, a note helps more than memory. Also ask about notice periods before you pay anything.

Costs for group offers and programmes

Group offers can be billed differently from individual conversations. Some services offer groups without charge, while others ask for a contribution towards materials or programmes. Ask whether groups, workshops or online courses are included and what they cost. If you want to take part in a group, clarify beforehand whether you have to register in a binding way and what happens if you miss a session. These questions are part of good preparation. Note the name and date of the person who gave you the information, so that you can refer to it later.

It is also useful to note the name of your contact person and the consultation hours of the service. If a follow-up question becomes necessary, you then know whom you can reach directly. This saves time and prevents misunderstandings about costs.

Next steps

Find two public services through the DHS addiction help directory and ask both about costs, procedure and waiting time. The route to the right service is described in the article Where can I find an addiction counselling centre for cannabis? Preparation for the first appointment is covered in the preparation for the first counselling conversation. If a private offer surprises you with costs, end the conversation and ask a public service. More information is available under Help and counselling.